1
$\begingroup$

If the stratum corneum is anucleated, dead cells - how is it that we are able to get DNA from buccal cheek swabs? Are we grabbing more than just the stratum corneum with the swab (eg. the underlying cells that are nucleated)?

$\endgroup$
2
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ I'm curious: does the inside of your cheek feel anything like the palm of your hand? $\endgroup$ Aug 10, 2017 at 0:40
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Thanks! I just read that the inner cheek is one of the places in the mouth with nonkeratinized squamous epithelium. So the cells we collect with buccal swabs are not of the dry cornified type and retain their nuclei. And the stratum corneum and granulosum are absent from this lining mucosa. $\endgroup$
    – user35642
    Aug 10, 2017 at 5:08

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

Because our buccal cavity is not covered by skin but by oral mucosa (nucleated epithelial cells).

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Why the down votes? $\endgroup$
    – Remi.b
    Aug 10, 2017 at 15:13

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .